Author Archives: Son, Father, Brother

I must start this topic with definitions so my case for membership will be clearly defined and not based on my personal membership experiences.  Unit – an individual thing or person regarded as single  Tribe – a social division in a traditional society consisting of families or communities linked by social, economic, religious, or bloodContinue reading “Member Ship”

“Church” has never been an easy topic for me to reconcile. Typically, it always comes back to two truths. God created the church, and I am commanded to be a part of it. Should the church be led by a single elder, or should a group of elders lead it? Titus 1:5-9 –  This isContinue reading “Elders Led or Elder Fed”

When a man is in the valley, knowing how to be there for him is hard. Only someone that has incredible restraint can help. The help is not what we think. The temptation to fix or comfort is so strong that it will make even the most loving person act in ways that push deeperContinue reading “Please Stay”

C.S. Lewis said, “In our own case, we accept excuses too easily; in other people’s, we do not accept them easily enough.” My extension to this thought replaces the word “excuses” with “point of view.” We are far too easily pleased with our perspective. We are often in the nosebleed section.  I write this inContinue reading “Dead Doves”

There is something about the old that grips us deep in our souls. It moves us in ways we cannot control. We unconsciously cry and hold our breath. It is not until the moment has passed, and we look back to see what affected us. I love my wife. She bought tickets to Les MiserablesContinue reading “Hello, Old Friend”

Recently, I have helped lead a few men in a bible study. It has turned into a belief study as we look at what we believe, how it has been shaped, and how it shapes our current views. I am excited by the idea of wading into the water of dogma, doctrine, and opinion. IContinue reading “Lights and Mirrors”

The Chinese Merganser is a rare and endangered duck species and one of the best parents in the animal kingdom. They do something marvelous with their young. The mother leaves the nest a few hours after the eggs hatch. The less-than-a-day-old ducklings must climb to the entrance of the tree nest, which consists of manyContinue reading “The Merganser”

In The last few months, I have read and found wisdom in the teaching of Voddie Bauchman.  Not only Bauchman but many Christians see the value of family worship. Recently, I have discovered that family worship is the single most important duty as a husband, father, and follower of Christ.   To lead one’s family isContinue reading “Grab the Bloody Rudder”

“This was good, but not like mother makes?” I must admit that I am not the type of husband that allows that statement to leave my mouth because it is simply not true. My wife is the best preparer of food I know, and my mother has no taste. However, I have been in relationshipsContinue reading “Not Like Mother Makes”

In our annual church budget meeting, a member asked if we allocated money for marketing our church. The lady’s comment about the “marketing budget” has had me chewing for the last few days. Is our church inviting and welcoming? How do we attract new members? How do we get the numbers up? I have askedContinue reading “Church Marketing”